Clear. Removed to town. Office, and afternoon at home.

Shortly after breakfast I started with my Wife and Louisa from Quincy for the town. Thus terminates a residence than which I do not believe man can enjoy a much pleasanter. The Summer has been sunny and will perhaps make the happiest spot to look back upon if I live. There may have been times of more noisy pleasure or brilliant dissipation but none of more uninterrupted enjoyment.

I went to the Office and passed some time. Afternoon tolerably 136cheerless at home. Read part of Swift’s Tale of a Tub which I have never read before1 and which I do not much enjoy now. There is not method enough in the Satire. It mixes until the brain becomes confused and tired and will not follow longer.

Tried to write in the evening but could not find the materials to do it easily. It is surprising how easily these little trifles check me.

Very pleasant. To Quincy all day. Evening at home.

I started early this morning for Quincy in order to make a good day of it. Occupied most of the time in transplanting two trees. One an English Oak of some size which I placed in a conspicuous position and one a native Oak on the line below. This consumed all of the time not devoted to my father and brought me to town rather later than I wished. The darkness was such that I determined not to be caught so again. Evening much alone at my house. Worked hard upon my papers.

Another heavy rain. At Office. One hour before dinner devoted to Greek as customary in town. Afternoon, reading and evening, writing.

This succession of rainy weather prevents any thing like agreeable motion even when it becomes occasionally fair. I had intended going to Quincy but was obliged to remain and work at the Office upon accounts as usual.

I today began my Greek studies for the winter with the Alcestis of Euripides. Also Swift’s Table of a Tub. Evening at home reading aloud one of the Waverley Novels and then writing upon my papers.

Clear. Ride to Quincy for the day. Return home to tea and evening to the Theatre.

The mud was quite deep today but I went to Quincy and was occupied in various little matters which required my attention. The town was thrown into a great state of excitement today by the arrival of accounts from New York of the triumph of the Whig party.1 This was not anticipated by either party and puts a very different face upon the aspect of political events. Mr. Van Buren now has to face the probabil-137ity of a majority in the next Congress against him and the prestige of the democratic strength is much more broken. Well, it only keeps up the bubbling. One thing is pretty clear to me that nothing holds up the present Administration one bit but the little hold on the popular feeling of the other side.

Returned home by the old road through Milton and Roxbury as being more dry. Found Mr. Brooks at my house to tea. Went to the Theatre with my Wife and heard an Opera by Rooke called the Love Test, somewhat German in its character but with rather feeble music. The parts however very respectably sustained. After piece Truth or a Glass too much, better than usual.2